Anup, Rakesh not too happy with biannual league

The prospect of earning more money than in the first two years has not made U Mumba skipper Anup Kumar and his new teammate Rakesh Kumar, come out in favour of the decision of the Pro Kabaddi League organisers to make it a biennial affair from 2016.
"It's not bad, but according to me it should be only an annual affair as too much of a good thing may not be good for public consumption on TV. Holding it once in a season means people would be eager to view it as the waiting period would be longer," said two-time Asian Games gold medal winner Anup at a media meet here today.

"If 6-7 months are taken away by the leagues, there are other tournaments too that we have to figure in like national tournaments, national games and international tournaments, leaving us with very little time for rest. A lot of injuries too happen in kabaddi," said 32-year-old Haryana policeman Anup who led U Mumba to the league title earlier this year.
Three-time Asiad gold medal winner Rakesh Kumar, who has joined the Mumbai franchise ahead of season 3 of the League which is set to commence on January 30, 2016, after playing for the Patna Pirates for the first two seasons of the League, endorsed his view.

"We have inter-department events, nationals. It would be good if it's held once a year. People will then look forward to it," said Delhi-based Northern Railways' player Rakesh who led India to their eighth successive gold medal in the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.
The league, organised by Mashal Sports and Star India in association with the International Kabaddi Federation, Asian Kabaddi Federation and the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India, "is now going to be a bi-annual league with two seasons every year, promising much more action for the audiences and also encouraging them to take up to playing kabaddi," it was announced earlier.

Anup, however, added that the coming year, in which two seasons are planned to be held by the organisers, would show whether it's a success.